My Story and Services

Being a Second Generation wealth professional, I learned first-hand how important it is to establish a strong relationship with your clients. For as long as I can remember, I have been learning how to provide clients with the best possible service, continuing to learn from my past and further develop my skills. That includes providing clients with the proper insight, diligent work ethic, as well as a helping hand for any of life's most unexpected situations. Its become a goal of mine to help all of my clients reach the important milestones they've set for themselves, and I am thankful to be along for the ride,

I offer a full range of services that is consistent with what you would expect from a family wealth advisor. My first step with clients is to form a strategy and prepare a plan that is unique to you, emphasizing attention to detail that is useful to your specific situation. I have the ability to manage a range of investor situations from straightforward to complex, assuring you that your plan is in the hands of a highly capable professional.

Overtime, we will work together to simplify your plan so that you have confidence that your objective can be met. With my experience and Morgan Stanley's global resources, I am confident that I can address your needs both now, and in the future. In addition, I am devoted to your legacy and I seek to protect and help grow your wealth for generations to come.

For years, I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoy assisting my clients as I frequently refine their plans, develop their wealth, and aid them as they achieve success. You will appreciate my honest and open communication as I continue to earn your trust and confidence every day. You are my priority! Let's get started.
Services Include
Securities Agent: NC, CO, AZ, AR, OR, KY, MI, PA, MA, IL, FL, DC, CT, OH, NJ, AK, WV, MD, GA, CA, VA, TX, SC, WI, WA, DE, NY, NH, LA, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1310689
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
For me, I believe that all of my clients are entitled to a different kind of working relationship. This is why I have worked very hard to place an emphasis on communication and transparency with my clients. When working together, we will strive to develop a type of relationship that places an emphasis on assessing your needs and working together to find solutions to your many goals.

As a Portfolio Management Director, I work to provide my clients with tailored advice and years of experience to help assist with their needs. In addition, having access to Morgan Stanley's content and resources is very important to our relationship. This combination of personal attention and financial possibilities creates opportunities for you that may have not been available before. Your financial life requires the broadest possible scope of knowledge, which is why I am committed to helping you in any way I can.
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    Education
    • Series 7-General Securities Representative
    • Series 31- Managed Futures
    • Series 65-Investment Advisory Agent
    • Series 63-Uniform State Exam
    • Life & Health Insurance Licensed, DE, MD, PA
    • Salisbury State University, BS of Finance
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    Experience
    • 1994 - Present: Morgan Stanley
    • 1991 - 1994: Reznick Fedder & Silverman, CPA
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    Associations
    • Member of RB/DB Chamber of Commerce
    • Meals on Wheels-Lewes Board member
    • Morgan Stanley Master's Club member
    • Governor Appointed Open Space Council for DE
    • Member of Rehoboth Beach Country Club
    • OA Newton Former Board member
    • Member of Lewes Yacht Club

Insights & Information

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Here at Morgan Stanley, we strive to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. I am a firm believer of giving my clients as many resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
The Global Investment Committee: GIC Weekly
Morgan Stanley Chief Investment Officer, Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at the markets, asset class performance, and fixed income.
Read Here
The Global Investment Committee: On the Markets
Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
Read Here
Thoughts on the Market Podcast
Short, thoughtful takes on recent events in the markets, every weekday from a variety of perspectives within Morgan Stanley.
Listen Here
2026 Tax Tables
The Tax Day deadline is on April 15th. Check out this link below which serves as a guide to your tax efficient planning. You'll also find more information on the 2026 Income Tax Tables, Tax Form Mailing Dates, effective tax strategies, and much more.
Learn More
Wealth Management Home Page
Morgan Stanley has a plethora of resources that we provide our clients. Click on the link below to learn more about our firm, our values, and our services.
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How to Handle Volatility
Market volatility can increase or decrease depending on where we are in the business cycle. Learn how to recognize common investing mistakes and stay focused on your long-term financial goals.
Learn How
How to Break the Ice Around Family Finances
Money is one of the trickiest topics to discuss. But avoiding the conversation can lead to problems. Learn how to start the dialogue with your family.
Learn How

Morgan Stanley's Digital Tools

Morgan Stanley offers a comprehensive suite of digital tools designed to enhance your wealth management experience. These tools are designed to provide you with seamless access to your entire financial picture, enabling you to make informed decisions as well as tools to streamline financial planning processes.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online Access your finances and investment instantly with the help of this 24/7 resource.
    Login
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    Morgan Stanley Mobile App
    The Morgan Stanley Mobile App is currently available for iPhone® and iPad® from the App Store℠ and Android™ on Google Play™. Standard messaging and data rates from your provider may apply.
    Learn More
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    Total Wealth View
    It's hard to see the complete picture with only half the details. As a Morgan Stanley client, you can now conveniently view your accounts from other financial institutions on Morgan Stanley Online, or by using the Morgan Stanley mobile app. Let's discuss how Total Wealth View can help give you a more complete financial picture.
    Learn More
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    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault lets you easily and conveniently manage and share life’s most important documents, such as financial statements, authorizations, tax filings, and other relevant files.
    Learn More
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    eDelivery
    Use Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App to access your account documents 24/7, with the paperless convenience and security of eDelivery.
    Learn More
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    Security Center
    Safeguarding your assets and information is one of our highest priorities, but you also have a critical role to play. Check out our collection of practical takeaways and best practices from our cybersecurity professionals, then explore a few of the ways we help protect you.
    Learn More

Get Ahead

Preparing for your retirement is a long and enduring process. After years of hard work, you deserve to have a comfortable and seamless transition into the next phase of your life.

With my experience, I will work with you to better understand your priorities and goals, ultimately leading to the implementation of a customized strategy specific to you and your family's needs.  

For your perusal, I have provided some helpful resources that may help you when it comes to preparing for your retirement.
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    Retirement Insights
    At Morgan Stanley, we bring deep knowledge and expertise to our perspectives. See how Morgan Stanley experts can help you understand how to plan and save for the life you want in retirement.
    Learn More
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    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
    Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.
    Learn More
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    Are You Prepared for Your Life in Retirement?
    Your retirement has the potential to be the most fulfilling period of your life–but you need to have a plan for your time as well as your finances.
    Learn More
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    The Millennial and Gen Z Guide to a Sweet Retirement
    How the power of time can help savvy young investors grow an impressive portfolio.
    Learn More
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    The State of Your Parents' Estate
    Talking with a parent about estate planning is never easy. Here are several conversation starters that can help adult children and their parents’ plan.
    Learn More

Location

55 Cascade Lane
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
US
Direct:
(302) 644-6617(302) 644-6617
Toll-Free:
(800) 258-3131(800) 258-3131
Fax:
(302) 300-4914(302) 300-4914

Meet My Team

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Karen Pillets

Karen Pillets is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Delaware and Maryland. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients’ and prospects’ financial planning needs.

Karen began her career in financial services in 1977 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to her current position, she worked at Fidelity Investments, State Farm, Provident Bank, Third National Bank, and Equitable Bank.

Karen graduated with a BA from what is now Mc Daniel College and an MBA from what is now Loyola University of Baltimore and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation. Karen lives in Millsboro, Delaware. Outside of work, Karen enjoys exploring the waterways of Delaware and Maryland with family and friends. Supporting the Children’s Beach House and Milton Theatre are also favorite diversions.
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.

Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact David Humes today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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2Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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3Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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6When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)